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cr^  JLoSjXf~r 


DEGREE 


OF  THE 

P Philosopher  s  Slone, 


LOUISVILLE,  KY.,  1897. 


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331.  «8 
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DIAG 


CHAPTER 


ROOM 


s 

1 - 

d  ruK  . 

r~ 

-  *  ■ 

• 

> 

VESTIBULE 

reception  rooh 

|  -  -  -  ~z_ 

J 

B  c 

_ 

•3  My  0  9,  5.  a.  HjlcIaJLcA 


OPENING  CEREMONY 


FOR 


OJ 


[The  Chapter  room  shall  not  be  open  to  any  except  members 
of  this  degree.  Visitors  and  candidates  must  remain  in  the 
ante-room  until  the  Chapter  has  been  opened. 

Officers  must  occupy  their  proper  stations  as  designated  in 

the  diagram. 

At  the  hour  for  meeting  the  W.  M.  will  take  the  .Seat  of  Wis¬ 
dom  and  call  the  Chapter  to  order  by  *  *  strokes  of  the 

baton  and  say:] 

W.  M.  Brothers  we  are  about  to  open  a  Chapter 
of  the  Degree  of  the  Philosopher  Stone.  The  officers 
will  take  their  respective  stations,  the  Sentinel  will 
secure  the  Phylon  and  the  Investigator  will  make 
sure  that  all  present  are  qualified  to  remain  and 
share  in  the  benefits  of  this  Chapter  of  Philosophy. 

[Investigator  examines  all  presen^and  reports.] 

I.  Worthy  Magistrate.  The  eyes  of  all  have  seen 
the  light  of  the  true  philosophy  of  life. 


[At  the  sound  of  *  *  *  *  strokes  of  the  baton  all 

present  will  approach  the  center  of  the  Chapter.  Form  in  a 
square  The  five  officers  within  the  square  beginning  with  the 
“S,”  who  repeats  the  words  on  the  face  of  first  leaf  which  lies 
face  down,  then  turns  face  of  leaf  up  which  verifies  his  words.  I, 
repeats  words  on  second  leaf,  turns  it  over.  R.  repeats  on  third 
leaf,  turns  it  over.  \  .  M.  repeats  on  fourth  leaf  and  turns  it 
over.  M.  repeats  on  fifth  leaf  and  turns  it  over,  leaving  up  svm- 
ool  of  center]. 


26  2  03 


9 


.•  ; 


4 


,  -.Mr All  ure  &re  admitted  as  a  reward  for  their 

’;'»yahhnt  service  yn't  fie  cause  of  Knighthood. 

Adi  who  filter  the  Phylon  of  our  Chapter  faith- 

\  "fully ''hind'aiVl-.pJedge  themselves  on  their  honor  as 
*  v  1  »  §  •  »  » 

.  strive /JChighfs*  to  keep  completely  and  profoundly 
^tftftVril  things  seen,  heard,  said  or  done  here,  and 
all  things  in  anywise  related  to  the  Philosopher’s 
degree  except  such  as  are  permitted  to  be  made 
known  under  our  laws  in  this  high  degree  of 
Knighthood. 

All.  All  of  which  we  solemnly  bind  ourselves  to 
faithfully  keep  and  do. 

I.  Each  and  all  seek  the  light  of  the  true  philoso¬ 
phy  pledge  themselves  to  bend  the  whol  e  power  of 
their  minds  and  wills  to  listen  and  learn  the  lessons 
of  the  true  Philosophy  of  life  taught  by  our  Magis¬ 
trate  within  the  sacred  precincts  of  the  Chapters  of 
the  Philosophers  Stone. 

All.  Faithfully  we  will  follow  the  admonitions  of 
the  Investigator  so  long  as  we  shall  live. 

R.  Remember  that  the  record  of  faithfulness  of  all 
members  is  kept,  and  by  that  record  shall  each  mem¬ 
ber  of  the  degree  be  rewarded  or  punished.  For  the 
eyes  of  the  philosophers  see  farther,  and  the  hand  of 
the  philosophers  hold  more  power  to  reward  or  punish 
than  is  given  to  any  other  human  agency. 

All.  We  remember  and  shall  abide  by  and  accept 
the  reward  which  the  record  of  our  lives  and  deeds 
does  give. 

V.  M.  To  face  with  steady  gaze  and  good  heart  all 
the  vast,  complex  and  terrible  phenomena  which  sur¬ 
rounds  us  in  this  world,  and  to  learn  the  mighty 
secrets  of  nature’s  universe,  not  for  the  gratification 
of  our  personal  greed  or  selfishness,  but  to  promote 
the  happiness  and  welfare  of  all  mankind,  will  be  our 
study. 

All.  So  do  we  all  promise  faithful  and  true. 

W.  M.  Labor,  life-long  activity  of  body  and  mind 
in  accord  with  the  eternal  harmonies  of  this  universe 
of  law,  is  the  final  supreme  duty  and  privilege  we  all 
have  undertaken  when  admitted  to  the  sacred  Chap- 


5 

ter  of  the  Philosophers  Stone.  Just  and  generous, 
calm  and  kind  shall  be  every  word  and  act  and 
thought  of  ours  within  the  sacred  square  of  all  the 
Chapters  of  this  degree.  Out  into  the  wide  and  war¬ 
ring  world  we  will  ever  seek  to  carry  the  noble  and 
knightly  Philosophy  and  conduct  of  life  inculcated 
here#  And  against  this  black  empire  of  necessity 
and  night,  of  ignorance  and  greed,  will  we  do  battle 
till  the  bright  beams  of  liberty's  light  shed  their  soft 
radiance  over  a  regenerated  earth,  peopled  by  a 
universal  brotherhood  of  men  living  in  liberty,  equal¬ 
ity  and  fraternity,  peace  and  plenty  and  happiness 
for  all. 

W.  M.  Join  me  in  the  opening  sign  of  the  Chapter. 

[W.  M.  gives  *  *  strokes  of  the  baton  and  the  Chapter 

is  seated.] 

ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. 

1.  Report  of  proceedings  of  last  Chapter. 

2.  Initiation  of  candidates. 

3.  Communications  and  finances. 

4.  Reports  of  the  progress  of  the  Order. 

5.  Discussion  of  Philosophy. 

6.  Closing. 

INITIATION  CEREMONY. 

S.  Worthy  Magistrate  and  Brothers  there  is  a  true 
and  faithful  Knight  of  Labor  of  good  standing  from 

L.  A. -  and  D.  A. -  at  the  Phylon  seeking 

admission  to  our  realm  of  Light  and  Philosophy. 

R.  His  credentials  have  been  examined  by  the 

members  -  -  -  and  he  is  found  a  tried 

and  true  Knight,  entitled  to  receive  the  degree. 

W.  M.  The  Sentinel  and  Guide  will  proceed  to 
the  Phylon  and  prepare  the  Knight  for  admission  to 
the  Chapter.  [The  Sentinel  and  Guide  will  apply  the 
test  to  the  waiting  Knight  and  if  found  correct  will 
place  white  baton  in  his  hand  and  ask:] 

Guide. - True  Knight  of  Labor  and 

soldier  in  the  army  of  liberty  you  have,  during  many 
months  by  faithful  and  distinguished  service  to  the 
Order  of  the  Knights  of  Labor  and  the  cause  of 


humanity  shown  your  devotion  to  the  right.  Are  you 
now  willing  and  prepared  to  take  on  yourself  an  obliga¬ 
tion  to  completely  and  fully,  for  all  time,  devote  all 
your  efforts  of  body  and  mind,  above  that  amount 
needed  to  procure  yourself  and  your  dependant 
family  a  decent  and  comfortable  living,  to  the  work 
of  abolishing  ignorance,  freeing  the  toiler  and  uplift¬ 
ing  humanity,  through  the  plans  and  policies  of  the 
Order  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  and  especially  in  the 
instructions  given  you  by  the  officers  and  members 
of  the  Philosopher’s  Stone  Degree,  and  to  solemnly 
obligate  yourself  to  obey  the  mandates  of  the  Order 
even  to  the  hazard  of  all  you  possess,  even  your  life, 
and  at  all  times  keep  profoundly  secret  all  things 
connected  with  this  Order  excejff  such  as  the  laws  of 
the  degree  permit  you  to  make  known? 

Answer.  I  will  so  long  as  I  live. 

Guide.  It  is  well.  Enter  then  with  us  to  the  inner 
Temple  of  Philosophy. 

LTiie  Guide  then  gives  entering  signal.! 

W.  M.  *  *  *  *  Form  a  square  around  the 

center.  Left  hands  over  hearts,  right  hand  extended; 
palm  up  level  with  waist. 

W.  M.  Sentinel  admit  the  Knight  who  seeks,  and 
and  by  faithful  service  has  earned  the  high  degree 
which  we  alone  can  confer. 

W.  M.  Guide  has  the  Knight  you  bring  been 
tried,  tested  and  found  worthy  of  the  high  honors  and 
privileges,  powers  and  benefits  of  the  Philosopher’s 
Stone? 

G.  The  Knight  I  bring  is  tried  and  truly  worthy 
of  our  trust. 

W.  M.  Place  him  within  the  sacred  square  where 
falls  the  light  of  truth  and  liberty. 

[G.  Instructs  the  Knight  Place  your  left  hand  on  your 
heart,  extend  right  hand  open,  palm  up  level  with  waist,  and 
repeat  after  the  V.  M.:] 

V 

V.  M.  and  Candidate.  I, - do  here  and 

now,  of  my  own  free  will,  deliberately,  faithfully  and 
solemnly  promise  upon  my  hope  of  happiness  and  my 
Knightly  honor,  that  I  will  keep  absolutely  and  pro- 


7 

found  ly  secret  everything  relating  to  the  high  and 
noble  Philosophers  Stone  Degree  of  the  Knights 
'  of  Labor  and  its  members,  solely  excepting 
such  matters  as  by  special  permission  or  the  laws 
of  the  Degree  and  the  Order  I  am  permitted  to  make 
known,  and  which  being  known  will  not  work  injury 
to  the  Order,  the  Degree  or  its  members.  And  I  will 
faithfully  obey  with  all  my  powers  of  body  and  mind 
all  the  Degree  laws  and  the  instructions  I  receive  in 
the  Chapters  of  the  Philosophers  Stone,  and  pledge 
myself  by  all  I  hold  dear  to  never  abuse  or  wrong¬ 
fully  use  the  knowledge,  power,  authority  or  official 
position  conferred  on  me.  I  will  cease  from  all 
efforts  to  grasp  wealth  or  acquire  riches,  which  are 
the  products  of  others  labor,  or  to  gratify  the  desire 
for  luxury  and  excess  of  any  kind  at  the  expense  of 
another’s  toil;  and  will  strive  to  reconstruct  the  social? 
industrial  and  political  system,  so  that  all  who  are 
able  must  do  their  fair  share  of  the  work  of  the 
world,  that  none  may  live  in  idleness,  and  each 
wealth  producer  be  secured  in  the  peaceful  possession 
ot  the  perfect  freedom  of  body  and  mind  and  all  the 
products  of  his  labor.  As  these  objects  can  only  be 
obtained  bv  the  abolition  of  ignorance  and  the  en- 
lightment  and  education  of  the  masses  of  workers,  I 
will  do  all  in  my  power  to  spread  intelligence  and 
truth  among  them  and  to  light  the  lamp  of  science 
in  all  the  dark  places  of  theworld.  And  I  will  ever 
exert  my  best  endeavors  to  protect  the  members  of 
this  degree  from  the  persecution  and  wrongs  which 
the  friends  of  tyranny  always  seek  to  inflict  on  those 
who  endeavor  to  lead  the  masses  of  humanity  out  of 
bondage  and  oppression.  To  the  brave  and  chosen 
few  who  stand  within  the  sacred  square  of  the  Phil¬ 
osopher’s  Stone  I  will  give  a  true  brother’s  counsel,  help 
and  succor  at  all  times,  in  health  and  sickness,  pros¬ 
perity  01  distress  so  long  as  I  shall  live. 

All.  With  the  hands  of  help  and  the  hearts  of 
sympathy  we  welcome  and  receive  our  brother  as  a 
tried  true  Knight  and  chosen  Philosopher. 

[W\  M.  gives  *  *  strokes  seats  the  Chapter. 


8 


V.  M.  Guide,  present  our  new  Philosopher  to  the 
Worthy  Magistrate,  who  will  point  out  to  him  the 
deep  and  true  Philosophy  and  the  high  and  noble 
conduct  of  which  we  trust  he  will  be  a  true  and 
honored  exemplar. 

[The  Guide  conducts  the  candidate  to  the  AY.  M.] 

G.  Worthy  Magistrate  by  direction  of  our  Worthy 
\rice  Magistrate  I  present  to  you  our  new  Philosopher 
for  instruction. 

W.  M.  Here,  O  Brother,  are  old  trees,  tall  pines 
and  gnarled  oaks — 

That  stream  with  gray  green  mosses.  Here  the 
ground 

Wa9  never  touched  by  spade,  and  flowers 
spring  up 

Unsown  and  die  ungathered.  It  is  sweet 
To  linger  here,  among  the  flitting  birds 
And  leaping  squirrels,  wandering  brooks 
and  winds. 

That  shake  the  leaves  and  scatter,  as  they  pass, 

A  fragrance  from  the  cedars,  thickly  set 

With  pale  blue  berries.  In  these  peaceful  shades 

Peaceful,  unpruned,  immeasurably  old — 

Our  thoughts  go  up  the  long  dim  path  of  years, 
Back  to  the  earliest  days  of  liberty. 

O,  Freedom!  thou  art  not,  as  poets  dream 
A  fair  young  girl  with  light  and  delicate  limbs, 
And  wavy  tresses  gushing  from  the  cap 
With  which  the  Roman  master  crowned  his  slave 
When  he  took  off  the  gyves.  A  bearded  man; 
Armed  to  the  teeth,  art  thou:  One  mailed  hand 
Grasps  i  he  broad  shield  and  one  the  lance; 
thy  brow 

Glorious  in  beauty  though  it  be,  is  scarred 
With  tokens  of  old  wars;  thy  massive  limbs 
Are  strong  with  struggling.  Power  at  thee 
has  launched 

His  bolts  and  with  his  lightenings  smitten  thee: 
They  could  not  quench  the  life  thou  hast  from 
heaven : 

Merciless  power  has  dug  thy  dungeon  deep, 

And  his  swart  armorers  by  a  thousand  fires, 

Have  forged  thy  chain;  yet  while  he  deems 
thee  bound, 

The  links  are  shivered,  and  the  prison  walls 
Fall  outward;  terribly  thou  springest  forth 
As  springs  the  flame  above  a  burning  pile, 

And  shoutest  to  the  nations  who  return 
Thy  shoutings,  while  the  pale  oppressor  flies 
The  birthright  was  not  given  by  human  hands 
Thou' wer’t  twin  born  with  man.  In  pleasant 
fields 

While  yet  our  race  were  few,  thou  satist  with  him 


< 


To  tend  the  quiet  flock  and  watch  the  stars, 

Or  teach  the  reed  to  utter  simple  airs. 

Thou  by  his  side  amid  the  tangled  wood 
Didst  war  upon  the  panther  and  the  wolf 
His  only  foes,  and  thou  with  him  didst  draw, 

The  earliest  furrow  on  the  mountain  side 
Soft  with  the  deluge.  Tyranny  himself, 

Thy  enemy,  altho’  of  reverend  look 
Hoary  with  many  years  and  far  obeyed, 

Is  later  born  than  thou;  and  as  he  meets 
The  grave  defiance  of  thine  elder  eye, 

The  usurper  trembles  in  his  fastnesses. 

Thou  shalt  wax  stronger  with  the  lapse  of  years 
But  he  shall  fade  into  a  feebler  age — 

Feebler,  yet  subtler.  He  shall  wave  his  snares 
And  spring  them  on  thy  careless  steps  and  clasp 
His  withered  hands  and  from  their  ambush  call 
His  horde,  to  fall  upon  thee.  He  shall  send 
Quaint  maskers,  wearing  fair  and  gallant  forms 
To  catch  thy  gaze  and  uttering  graceful,  words 
To  claim  thy  ear:  While  his  sly  imps  by  stealth 
Twine  around  thee  threads  of  steel,  light  thread 
on  thread 

That  grow  to  fetters:  or  bind  down  thy  arms 
With  chains  concealed  in  chaplets,  Oh!  Xot  yet 
Mayst  thou  embrace  thy  corselet  nor  lay  by 
Thy  sword.  N or  yet  O  Freedom ! 

Close  thy  lids 

In  slumber:  For  thine  enemy  never  sleeps 
And  thou  must  watch  and  combat  till  the  day 
Of  the  new  earth  and  heaven.  But  wouldst  * 
thou  rest 

Awhile  from  the  tumult  and  the  haunts  of  men 
These  old  and  friendly  solitudes  invite 
Thy  visit.  They,  while  yet  the  forest  trees 
Were  young  upon  the  un violated  earth, 

And  yet  the  moss  stains  on  the  rocks  were  new, 
Beheld  thy  glorious  childhood  and  rejoiced. 

Here  with  the  few  brave  and  chosen  spirits  thou 
mavst  hold  secret  and  comforting  counsel.  Here  we 
have  gathered  for  inspiring  and  instructive  consid¬ 
eration  of  past  experience  and  future  prospects,  talk¬ 
ing  o’er  the  battles  of  bygone  times  and  from  them 
drawing  lessons  of  wisdom  for  the  mighty  struggles 
yet  to  come,  ere  thou  canst  win  thy  complete  and 
final  victory  o’er  tyranny  in  his  last  strongholds  of 
power.  We  invoke  thy  spirit,  O  Freedom,  to  guide 
us  and  our  new  Brother  in  all  our  counsels.  Let  us 
all  be  alike  gentle  and  kindly  to  all  our  brethren  but 
brave  and  strong  in  our  resistance  to  tyranny  and  the 
oppressors  of  the  toiling  poor. 

The  latent  power  of  human  progress  lies  dormant 


IO 


in  the  minds  of  men  to-day.  To  arouse  and  give 
direction  for  good  to  this  force,  is  the  great  educa¬ 
tional  work  for  members  of  this  Degree,  especially  to 
accomplish.  ^ 

That  they  may  be  successful  in  this  important 
work,  each  member  is  expected  to  forego  the  gratifi¬ 
cation  of  the  desire  for  luxury  or  excess  of  any  kind. 
Temperance  and  moderation  in  all  things  are  en¬ 
joined.  Sufficient  daily  labor  to  provide  the  neces¬ 
sary  and  reasonable  comforts  of  life  should  be  devoted 
to  yourself  and  dependant  families,  after  that  and 
needed  rest  and  recreation,  whatever  of  mental  and 
physical  force  you  have  left  should  be  devoted  to 
advancing  the  power  and  influence  for  the  good  of 
this  order.  Great  and  glorious  gains  for  humanity 
will  be  the  result. 

Put  behind  you  forever  the  greed  for  wealth  and 
the  fear  of  poverty  in  the  future.  To  win  the  grand 
results  aimed  at  by  this  Order  some  risks  must  be 
run  and  some  sacrifices  must  be  made,  and  this  is  one 
which  members  of  the  Degree  are  expected  to  under¬ 
take.  Let  the  practice  of  your  life  be  consistent  with 
this  precept,  that  you  may  lead  the  way  where  others 
will  follow,  for  so  long  as  the  men  and  women  of  the 
world  are  given  over  to  an  insane  struggle  for  wealth 
and  power,  so  long  will  the  earth  be  cursed  with 
poverty  and  want,  vice  and  crime,  and  all  the  im¬ 
measurable  miseries  that  follow  in  their  wake.  To 
efface  forever  these  evils  this  Order  was  founded. 

We  must  teach  the  children  of  men  to  cease  their 
struggle  for  the  personal  possession  of  great  wealth. 
Mankind  are  brethren  and  joint  heirs  to  the  whole 
earth,  an  estate  so  vast,  that  light  and  reasonable 
labor  on  it  by  each,  will  bring  plenty  and  comfort  for 

all,  provided  none  seek  to  grasp  more  than  their 
rightful  share. 

There  are  those  who  refuse  to  listen  to  the  voice  of 
reason  and  justice  and  blinded  by  avarice  and  greed 
still  strive  to  grasp  a  vast  and  evil  power  over  the 
lives  and  liberties  of  their  fellow  beings.  They  would 
perpetuate  the  ancient  and  wrongful  systems  which 


subject  the  mass  of  toilers  to  a  system  of  wage  slavery 
for  the  aggrandizement  of  the  wealthy,  powerful  and 
privileged  few. 

These  systems  of  industrial,  social  and  political 
wrong  and  injustice  reduce  the  masses  of  toilers  to 
degrading  slavish  toil  and  ignorance,  while  they  make 
the  privileged  few  selfish,  cruel  and  merciless  in  their 
treatment  of  their  fellow  men. 

The  power  of  the  wealthy  and  privileged  classes  is 
a  giant  force  which  gives  no  quarter  to  those  who 
oppose  it.  Like  a  vast  and  awful  tyrant  it  hangs  a 
threatening  sword  ov6r  the  world,  paralyzing  with 
fear  nearly  all  who  would  strive  to  set  humanity  free. 

When  entering  the  Degree  of  the  Philosopher’s 
Stone  you  will  place  yourself  in  the  ranks  of  earth’s 
chosen  heroes. 

They  are  souls  that  stood  alone, 

While  the  men  they  agonized  for  hurled  the 
contumelious  stone, 

Stood  serene,  and  down  the  future  saw  the 
golden  beam  incline 

To  the  side  of  perfect  justice  mastered  by  their 
faith  divine, 

By  one  man’s  plain  truth  to  manhood  and  to 
God’s  supreme  design. 

You  will  fear  not  to  take  your  stand  on  the  side  of 
justice  and  right  for  the  poor.  Be  faithful  and  do 
what  work  you  can,  bravely  remembering  that — 


When  a  deed  is  done  for  freedom 
Through  the  broad  earth’s  aching  breast 
Buns  a  thrill  of  joy  pathetic 
Trembling  on  from  east  to  west. 

And  the  slave  where  ere  he  cowers 
Feels  the  soul  within  him  climb 
To  the  awful  verge  of  manhood 
As  the  energy  sublime, 

As  a  century  bursts  full  blossomed 
On  the  thorny  stem  of  time. 

Through  the  walls  of  hut  and  palace 
Shoots  the  instantaneous  thro, 

While  the  travail  of  the  ages 
Wrings  earth’s  systems  to  and  fro. 

At  the  birth  6f  each  new  era 
With  a  recognizing  start, 

Nation  wildly  looking  at  nation 
Standing  with  mute  lips  apart. 


12 


He  who  worships  at  the  shrine  of  party  would 
profane  the  alter  of  liberty. 

It  becomes  every  one  who  would  preserve  the 
priceless  heritage  of  the  past  and  enable  us  to  hand  | 
down  to  our  posterity  those  glorious  gains,  the  gar¬ 
nered  fruits  from  the  victories  won  by  the  heroes  of 

•  * 

liberty  in  bygone  times,  to  strive  for  a  revival  of  the 
spirit  of  independence. 

We  must  seek  to  abolish  war  and  set  our  faces  like 
flint  against  all  preparations  for  war.  Let  us  seek  to 
spread  universal  peace  like  a  soft  mantel  over  the 
world.  Then  will  culture  climb  the  mountains  and 
prosperity  and  plenty  smile  within  the  valleys  of  all 
the  earth. 

We  shall  abolish  utterly  child  labor.  Remember¬ 
ing  that  the  children  are  the  most  sacred  trust  com¬ 
mitted  to  our  charge.  Let  us  provide  that  the 
young  mind  and  body  of  each  one  shall  be  permitted 
to  bloom  and  grow  amid  the  sacred  surroundings  of 
liberty  and  love,  and  so  shape  our  institutions  that 
each  child  born  into  the  world  shall  have  his  right 
fully  recognized  to  an  equal  share  of  the  earth  and  of 
the  best  of  the  earth  for  his  or  her  use. 

This  work  well  done  we  may  hope  that  work  of 
those  we  educate  will  so  uplift  humanity,  so  brighten 
and  purify  the  lives  of  men  that  “the  prison  and 
the  gallows  shall  no  longer  curse  the  ground.” 

The  span  of  human  life  is  a  short  one.  Let  us 
teach  our  brethren  that  every  moment  of  that  life 

should  be  free  from  the  stain  of  evil  thought  or  act, 
and  that  we  should  each  seek  in  our  little  life  to 

light  the  small  circle  round  about  us  so  far  as  our 
influence  can  reach  with  the  lamp  of  human  kind¬ 
ness,  love  and  labor,  hope  and  happiness. 

We  shall  teach  and  practice  unselfishness.  Let  us 
remember — 

He's  true  to  God  whose  true  to  man 
Where  wrong  is  done 

To  the  weakest  and  the  humblest 
’Neath  the  all  embracing  sun; 

And  they  are  slaves  most  base,  ^ 

Whose  love  of  right 

Is  for  themselves  and  not  for  all  the  race. 


13 

We  regard  as  sacred,  and  we  shall  seek  to  secure 
and  protect  all  just  property  rights.  But  we  believe 
that  every  little  babe  within  its  cradle  is  more  sacred 
than  boxes  of  bonds  or  bags  of  gold,  and  all  so-called 
vested  rights  of  property  must  yield  to  the  rights  of 
the  weakest  and  the  humblest  human  being  to  a 
healthy  happy  life  earned  in  infancy  by  the  reason¬ 
able  labor  of  parents  hands  and  in  maturity  by  each 
ones  faithful  performance  or  his  fair  share  of  the 
honest  work  of  the  world. 

Science  is]  the  collection  and  orderly  arrangement 
of  facts  bearing  on  any  subject.  To  aid  in  the  pro¬ 
gress  of  science,  the  spread  of  human  knowledge  and 
the  general  increase  of  intelligence  are  among  the 
most  important  works  for  members  of  this  Degree  to 
engage  in.  Iiem ember  the  injunction  laid  upon  you 
by  the  Local  Assembly  to  regard  ignorance  as  the 
great  enemy  of  mankind. 

Know  thyself,  and  having  acquired  a  clear  com¬ 
prehension  of  the  work  in  life  you  are  naturally  best 
fitted  to  perform,  perfect  yourself  in  it  and  aid  in 
gathering  into  orderly  arrangement  for  the  instruc¬ 
tion  of  yourself  and  your  brothers  all  known  useful 
facts  connected  therewith. 

Such  new  discoveries  or  inventions  as  you  may 
make,  seek  not  to  monopolize  for  your  own  selfish 
gain  but  rather  follow  the  generous  example  of  the 
noblest  of  the  professions  and  make  your  discoveries 
the  common  property  of  all  your  brethern.  For  so 
shall  you  make  all  mankind  your  willing  debtors  and 
faithful  friends  for  life. 

Show  thus  to  all  that  you  fear  not  to  face  the 
future  even  with  hands  empty  of  wealth,  so  long  as 
you  live  among  those  to  whom  your  love  and  labor 
have  been  and  will  be  freely  given. 

The  philosopher  knows  that  the  satisfaction  of  our 
material  wants  and  needs  should  only  require  a  small 
part  of  our  labor,  and  that  to  expend  all  our  efforts 
in  the  getting  of  wealth  to  gratify  our  material  wants 
inevitably  tends  to  develop  the  animal  nature  at  the 


expense  of  the  moral  and  intellectual  life,  and  event¬ 
ually  to  degrade  and  destroy  that  higher  part  of 
human  nature  through  which  alone  it  is  possible  to 
develop  the  race  to  a  higher  and  better  civilization. 
Every  philosopher  should  know  that  there  is  still  this 
difference  between  man  and  all  other  animals — he  is 
the  only  animal  whose  desires  increase  as  they  are 
fed;  the  only  animal  that  is  never  satisfied.  The 
wants  of  every  other  living  thing  are  uniform  and 
fixed.  The  ox  of  to-day  aspires  to  no  more  than  did 
the  ox  when  man  first  yoked  him.  The  sea  gull  of 
the  English  Channel  who  poises  himself  above  the 
swift  steamer,  wants  no  better  food  or  lodging  than 
the  gulls  who  circled  round  as  the  keels  of  Caeser’s 
galleys  first  grated  on  a  British  beach.  Of  all  that 
nature  offers  them  be  it  ever  so  abundant,  all  living 
things  save  man  can  only  take,  and  only  care  for, 
enough  to  supply  wants  which  are  definite  and  fixed. 
The  only  use  they  can  make  of  additional  supplies  or 
additional  opportunities  is  to  multiply. 

But  not  so  with  man.  No  sooner  are  his  animal 
wants  satisfied,  than  new  wants  arise.  Food  he  wants 
first,  as  does  the  beast;  shelter  next  as  does 
the  beast ;  and  these  given,  his  reproductive 
instincts  asserts  their  sway,  as  do  those  of  the 
beast.  But  here  man  and  beast  part  company.  The 
beast  never  goes  further;  the  man  has  but  set  his 
feet  on  the  first  step  of  an  infinite  progression — a  pro¬ 
gression  upon  which  the  beast  never  enters;  a  pro¬ 
gression  away  from  and  above  the  beast. 

The  demand  for  quantity  once  satisfied,  he  seeks 
quality.  The  very  desires  that  he  has  in  common 
with  the  beast  become  extended,  refined,  exalted.  It 
is  not  merely  hunger,  but  taste,  that  seeks  gratifica¬ 
tion  in  food;  in  clothes,  he  seeks  not  merely  comfort, 
but  adornment;  the  rude  shelter  becomes  a  house;  the 
un discriminating  sexual  attraction  begins  to  trans¬ 
mute  itself  into  subtile  influences,  and  the  hard  and 
common  stock  of  animal  life  to  blossom  and  to  bloom 
into  shapes  of  delicate  beauty.  As  power  to  gratify 


his  wants  increases,  so  does  aspiration  gnow%  'Tossing 
into  higher  forms  of  desire,  that  which1  slumbered  in  , 
the  plant  and  fitfully  stirred  in  the  beast  awakes  ill 
the  man.  The  eyes  of  the  mind  are -opened/ and  he, 
longs  to  know.  He  braves  the  scffivchigg  hpat  of  t'he 
desert  and  the  icy  blasts  of  the  polar  sea,  but /not  for 


food;  he  watches  all  night,  but  it  is  to  trace  the'  cir¬ 
cling  of  the  eternal  stars.  He  adds  toil  to  toil,  to 
gratify  a  hunger  no  animal  has  felt;  to  asuage  a  thirst 
no  beast  can  know. 


Out  upon  nature,  in  upon  himself,  back  through 
the  mists  that  shroud  the  past,  forward  into  the  dark¬ 
ness  that  overhangs  the  future,  turns  the  restless 
desire  that  arises  when  the  animal  wants  slumber  in 
satisfaction.  Beneath  things  he  seeks  the  law;  he 
would  know  how  the  globe  was  forged,  and  the  stars 
were  hung,  and  trace  to  the  sources  the  springs  of  life 
And,  then,  as  the  man  develops  his  nobler  nature 
there  arises  the  desire  higher  yet-*— the  passion  of  pas¬ 
sions,  the  hope  of  hopes — the  desire  that  he,  even  lie 
may  somehow  aid  in  making  life  better  and  brighter 
in  destroying  want  and  sin,  sorrow  and  shame.  He 
masters  and  curbs  the  animal;  he  turns  his  back  upon 
the  feast  and  renounces  the  place  of  power;  he  leaves 

it  to  others  to  accumulate  wealth,  to  gratify  pleasant 
tastes,  to  bask  themselves  in  the  warm  sunshine  of  the 
brief  day.  He  works  for  those  he  never  saw  and 
never  can  see;  for  a  fame,  or  it  may  be  but  for  a  scant 
justice,  that  can  only  come  after  the  clods  have  rat¬ 
tled  upon  his  coffin  lid.  He  toils  in  the  advance, 
where  it  is  cold,  and  there  is  little  cheer  from  men 
and  the  stones  are  sharp  and  the  brambles  thick. 
Amid  the  scoffs  of  the  present  and  the  sneers  that 
stab  like  knives,  he  builds  for  the  future;  he  cuts  the 
trail  that  progressive  humanity  may  hereafter  broaden 
into  a  high  road. 

i 

To  better  perform  this  work,  the  highest  and 
noblest  the  human  mind  can  conceive  of,  we  have 
formed  the  Philosopher’s  Stone  Degree. 

Remember  that  the  inherent  vice  of  all  govern- 

#  © 


mentals  their  tendency  to  devour  the  substance  of 
the:  people..  Use  you*  political  power  to  bring  the 
government  and  to^keep  it  strictly  within  the  control 
of  the  people  at  all  times.  To  this  end  there  should 
be  but  one  legislative  body;  the  veto  power  be  taken 
from  the  executive  and  restored  to  the  people-  The 
initiative  referendum  and  imperative  mandate  with 
proportional  representation  in  legislative  bodies  should 
be  made  a  part  of  the  framework  of  the  government. 

The  active  power  of  the  masses  of  those  who  toil 
flows  along  three  principal  lines  chiefly. 

1st.  In  the  field  of  industry.  The  production  and' 
distribution  of  all  the  useful  things  needed  for  the 
sustenance  and  welfare  of  mankind. 

2d.  Their  social  life.  The  creating  of  a  great  social 
body.  To  dwell  within  which  is  productive  of  all 
the  virtues  and  joys  of  civilized  life.  This  social  body 
is  made  up  of  multitudes  of  families,  homes  and 
“firesides  where  bloom  and  grow  the  virtues  of  our 
race.” 

3d.  The  field  of  political  activity,  wherein  are 
developed  those  wise  laws  and  humane  institutions 
which  shelter  and  protect  the  rights  of  each  human 
being  against  encroachment  or  oppression. 

To  give  direction  for  the  highest  good  and  greatest 
welfare  of  the  race,  of  these  great  primal  forces  of 
civilized  life  is  the  main  work  which  the  Order  of  the 
Knights  of  Labor  was  founded  to  accomplish.  Every 
Philosopher  is  pledged  particularly  to  aid  in  spread¬ 
ing  the  light  of  truth  and  of  intellectual  liberty 
among  the  masses  in  order  that  they  may  clearly  see 
and  know  the  things  needed  to  be  done  in  order  that 
a  truly  beneficent  civilization  may  spread  over  all  the 
earth  wherein  every  man  and  woman  shall  do  their 
fair  share  of  the  work  of  the  world  and  each  shall 
en  joy  the  full  fruits  of  their  own  toil. 

Whatever  is  potent  for  evil  may  be  made  potent 
for  good.  The  change  we  propose  to  make  would 
destroy  the  conditions  that  distort  impulses  in  them¬ 
selves  beneficent,  and  would  transmit  the  forces  which 


17 

now  tend  to  disintegrate  society  into  forces  which 
would  pretend  to  unite  and  purify  it. 

Give  labor  a  free  field  and  its  earnings;  take  for 
the  whole  community  that  fund  which  the  growth  of 
the  community  creates,  in  the  value  of  land  as  pro¬ 
posed  in  Plank  V  of  the  Preamble  of  Knighthood, 
and  want  and  the  fear  of  want  would  be  gone.  The 
springs  of  production  would  be  set  free,  and  the 
enormous  increase  of  wealth  would  give  the  poorest 
ample  comfort.  Men  would  no  more  worry  about 
finding  employment  than  they  worry  about  finding 
air  to  breathe;  they  need  have  no  more  care  about 
physical  necessities  than  do  the  lilies  of  the  field. 
The  progress  of  science,  the  march  of  invention,  the 
diffusion  of  knowledge,  would  bring  their  benefits  to 
all. 

With  this  abolition  of  want  and  the  fear  of  want, 
the  admiration  of  riches  would  decay,  and  men  would 
seek  the  respect  and  approbation  of  their  fellows  in 
other  modes  than  by  the  acquisition  and  display  of 
wealth.  In  this  way  there  would  be  brought  to  the 
management  of  public  affairs  and  the  administration 
of  common  funds,  the  skill,  the  attention,  the  fidelity 
and  integrity  that  can  now  only  be  secured  for  private 
interests,  and  a  railroad  or  gas  works  might  be 
operated  on  public  account,  not  only  more  economic¬ 
ally  and  efficiently  than  as  at  present,  under  joint 
stock  management,  but  as  econically  and  efficiently 
as  would  be  possible  under  a  single  ownership.  The 
prize  of  the  Olympian  games,  that  called  forth  the 
most  strenuous  exertions  of  all  Greece,  was  but  a 
wreath  of  wild  olive;  for  a  bit  of  ribbon  men  have 
over  and  over  again  performed  services  no  money 
could  have  bought. 

Short-sighted  is  the  philosophy  which  counts  on 

selfishness  as  the  master  motive  of  human  action.  It 

is  blind  to  facts  of  which  the  world  is  full.  It  sees 
not  the  present,  and  reads  not  the  past  aright.  If 

you  would  move  men  to  action,  to  what  shall  you 
appeal?  Not  to  their  pockets,  but  to  their  patriot¬ 
ism;  not  to  selfishness,  but  to  sympathy.  Self-interest 


1 8 


is,  as  it  were,  a  mechanical  force — potent,  it  is  true; 
capable  of  large  and  wide  results.  But  there  is  in 
human  nature  what  may  be  likened  to  a  chemical 
force,  which  melts  and  fuses  and  overwhelms;  to 
which  nothing  seems  impossible.  “All  that  a  man 
hath  will  he  give  for  his  life” — that  is  self-interest. 
But  in  loyalty  to  higher  impulses  men  will  give  even 
life. 

It  is  not  selfishness  that  enriches  the  annals  of 

every  people  with  heroes  and  saints.  It  is  not  sel¬ 
fishness  that  on  every  page  of  the  world’s  history 

bursts  out  in  sudden  splendor  of  noble  deeds  or  sheds 
the  soft  radiance  of  benignant  lives.  It  was  not  sel¬ 
fishness  that  turned  Gautama’s  back  to  his  royal 
home  or  bade  the  Maid  of  Orleans  lift  the  sword  from 
the  alter;  that  held  the  three  hundred  in  the  Pass  of 
Thermopylae,  or  gathered  into  Winkelried’s  bosom 
the  sheaf  of  spears;  that  chained  Vincent  de  Paul  to 
the  bench  of  the  galley,  or  brought  little  starving 
children  during  the  Indian  famine  tottering  to  the 
relief  stations  with  yet  weaker  starvelings  in  their 
arms.  Call  it  religion,  patriotism,  sympathy,  the 
enthusiasm  for  humanity,  or  the  love  of  God — give 
it  what  name  you  will;  there  is  yet  a  force  which  over¬ 
comes,  and  drives  out  selfishness;  a  force  which  is  the 
electricity  of  the  moral  universe;  a  force  beside  which 
all  others  are  weak.  Everywhere  that  men  have 
lived  it  has  shown  its  power,  and  to-day,  as  ever,  the 
world  is  full  of  it.  To  be  pitied  is  the  man  who  has 
never  seen  and  never  felt  it.  Look  around,  among 
common  men  and  women,  amid  the  care  and  the 
struggle  of  daily  life  in  the  jar  of  the  noisy  street 
and  amid  the  squalor  where  want  hides — every  here 
and  there  is  the  darkness  lighted  with  the  tremulous 
play  of  its  lambent  flames.  He  who  has  not  seen  it 
has  walked  with  shut  eyes.  He  who  looks  may 
see,  as  says  Plutarch,  that  “the  soul  has  a  principle  of 
kindness  in  itself,  and  is  born  to  love,  as  well  as  to 
perceive,  think,  or  remember.” 

And  this  force  of  forces — that  now  goes  to  waste  or 


19 

assumes  perverted  forms — we  may  use  for  the 
strengthening  and  building  up  and  ennobling  ot 
society,  if  we  but  will,  just  as  we  now  use  physical 
forces  that  once  seemed  but  powers  of  destruction 
All  we  have  to  do  is  to  but  give  it  freed  om-and  scope. 
The  wrong  that  produces  inequality;  the  wrong  that 
in  the  midst  of  abundance  tortures  men  with  want  or 
harries  them  with  the  fear  of  want;  that  stunts  them 
physically,  degrades  them  intellectually,  and  distorts 
them  morally,  is  what  alone  prevents  harmonious 
social  development. 

To  love  justice,  to  long  for  the  right,  to  love  mercy, 
to  pity  the  suffering,  to  assist  the  weak,  to  forget 
wrongs  and  remember  benefits — to  love  the  truth,  to 
be  sincere,  to  utter  honest  words,  to  love  liberty,  to 
wage  relentless  war  against  slavery  in  all  its  forms,  to 
love  wife  and  child  and  friend,  to  make  a  happy 
home,  to  love  the  beautiful  in  art,  in  nature;  to  culti¬ 
vate  the  mind;  to  be  familiar  with  the  mighty 
thoughts  that  genius  has  expressed,  the  noble  deeds 
of  all  the  world,  to  cultivate  courage  and  cheerful¬ 
ness,  to  make  others  happy,  to  fill  life  with  the  splen¬ 
dor  of  generous  acts,  the  warmth  of  loving  words,  to 
discard  error,  to  destroy  prejudice,  to  receive  new 
truths  with  gladness;  to  cultivate  hope;  to  see  the 
calm  beyond  the  storm,  the  dawn  beyond  the  night; 
to  do  the  best  that  can  be  done  and  then  to  be 
.  resigned — this  is  one  of  the  secrets  of  the  Philosopher 
Stone. 

Hope  is  the  consolation  of  the  world.  The  wan¬ 
derers  hope  for  home.  Hope  builds  the  house  and 
plants  the  flowers  and  fills  the  air  with  song. 

The  sick  and  suffering  hope  for  health.  Hope 
gives  them  health  and  paints  the  roses  in  their  cheeks. 

The  lonely,  the  forsaken,  hope  for  love.  Hope 
brings  the  lover  to  their  arms.  They  feel  the  kisses 
on  their  eager  lips. 

The  poor  in  the  tenements  and  huts,  in  spite  of 
rags  and  hunger  hope  for  comforts. 

The  dying  hopes  that  death  is  but  another  birth, 


20 


and  love  leans  above  the  pallid  face  and  whispers, 
‘‘We  shall  meet  again.” 

And  so  let  us  hope  and  strive  to  bring  the  day 
when  this  poor  earth  on  which  we  live,  may  be  a  per¬ 
fect  world — a  world  without  a  crime — without  a  tear. 

W.  M.  I  will  now  instruct  you  in  the  secret  work 
of  this  degree. 

[The  W.  M.  then  gives  the  necessary  instructions,  after  which 
he  will  say:] 

To  the  careful  consideration  of  the  ways  and 
means  best  adapted  to  carry  to  success  the  purposes 
of  the  Philosopher’s  Stone  Degree  we  will  now 
address  ourselves  and  you  having  by  faithful  service 
earned  the  right  may  now  participate  in  all  our 
deliberations  and  work. 

The  Chapter  will  now  be  in  recess  to  enable  the 
members  to  personally  greet  our  new  Brother. 


-A  A- 


CLOSING. 


W.  M.  The  hour  for  closing  this  communication  of 
the  Philosopher’s  Stone  has  arrived.  Action  must 
follow  counsel.  We  may  not  always  enjoy  the  com¬ 
pany  and  counsel  of  the  chosen  spirits  of  the  Philoso¬ 
pher’s  Stone.  Let  us  the  more  earnestly  labor  to 
spread  its  teachings  so  that  the  elevating  communion 
of  the  Degree  may  the  more  frequently  be  enjoyed 
by  ourselves  and  all  who  may  earn  the  privilege. 
Forth  then  into  all  the  walks  of  human  life  let  us  go 
with  cheerfuller  hearts  and  higher  courage  born  of 
inspiring  counsel  we  have  just  now  shared.  Our 
paths  part  at  the  Phylon.  To  some  our  parting  may 
be  for  years,  but  to  none  can  it  be  forever.  Some¬ 
where,  some  time  shall  the  muster  roll  be  called 
again  and  every  one  respond. 

Out  into  the  world  to  carry  on  the  war  against 
wrong  and  ignorance  bearing  high  the  torch  of  truth 
and  the  white  baton  of  brotherhood.  No  matter  how 
great  the  odds  against  which  we  strive,  though  the 
army  of  unright  is  encamped  from  pole  to  pole  the 
just  man  knoweth  the  road  to  victory. 

W.  M.  Observe  your  Magistrate. 

[W.  M.  Gives  closing  sign.l 

W.  M.  We  close  by  invoking  the  blessing  of  Peace 
►  and  Prosperity  to  the  Faithful. 

*  *  strokes. 


INSTALLATION  OF  OFFICERS, 


[The  Installing  Officer  (who  must  be  deputized  by  the  G.  M. 
W.)  being  in  the  Vestibule,  will  give  the  usual  alarm,  and 

when  answered,  will  announce  himself  as - Tbe  Installing 

Officer  for  the  purpose  of  installing  the  officers  elect  of  this 
Chapter - ] 

S.  Worthy  Magistrate,  the  Installing  Officer,  for 
the  purpose  of  Installing  the  officers  elect  of  this 
Chapter. 

[The  W.  M.  will  raise  the  Chapter  by  *  *  *  *  of  the 

baton.] 

W.  M.  Admit  the  Installing  Officer  that  he  may 
perform  the  work  given  him  to  do. 

[When  the  Installing  Officer  is  admitted  he  will  advance  to 
the  center  and  say:] 

I.  0.  Worthy  Magistrate  I  appear  with  you  at  this 
time  for  the  purpose  of  installing  the  officers-elect  of 
this  Chapter.  Have  all  taxes  due  the  General 
Assembly  been  paid,  and  is  the  receipt  of  the  General 
Secretary-Treasurer  for  the  same  now  in  possession 
of  this  Chapter.  Are  the  officers-elect  free  from 
all  charges  of  whatever  kind?  Are  they  now  ready 
to  be  installed,  and  is  this  Chapter  willing  that  they 
should  be  placed  in  charge  of  the  respective  offices  to 
which  they  have  been  elected? 

t. 

W.  M.  Worthy  Installing  Officer  all  taxes  due  the 
General  Assembly  have  been  paid,  the  receipts  for 
the  same  is  now  in  possession  of  this  Chapter;  the 
officers  elect  are  ready  to  be  installed,  and  this 
Chapter  is  willing  that  they  should  be  placed  in 
charge  of  their  respective  offices. 

I.  O.  Worthy  Magistrate  you  will  direct  the  pres 
ent  officers  of  this  Chapter  to  surrender  their  offices 
m  order  that  their  successors  in  office  may  be  in¬ 
stalled. 


W.  M.  The  officers  of  this  Chapter  will  surrender 
their  offices  in  order  that  your  successors  in  office  may 
be  installed. 

[The  Installing  Officer  then  approaches  the  Seat  of  Wisdom, 
and  the  Worthy  Magistrate  will  say:] 

W.  M.  Worthy  Installing  Officer  receive  from  me 
this  emblem  of  my  authority  over  this  Chapter. 

[Hands  over  baton.] 

Also  the  warrant  under  which  this  Chapter  is 

held. 

[Hands  over  warrant.] 

Also  the  rituals,  books,  papers  and  other  propeity 
of  the  Order  that  were  committed  to  my  charge  at  my 
installation,  or  that  have  come  into  my  possession 
since  that  time. 

[Hands  over  rituals,  books,  papers,  etc-.] 

And  finally,  I  surrender  to  vou  the  Seat  of  Wis- 
dom  which  I  have  endeavored  to  fill  to  the  full  extent 
of  my  ability. 

[The  Recorder  will  then  advance  to  the  Seat  of  Wisdom  and 
say:] 

R.  Worthy  Installing  Officer  receive  from  me  the 
Records,  seal,  and  all  other  books  and  papers  of  the 
Order  committed  to  my  charge  at  my  installation 
or  that  have  come  into  my  possession  since  that  time 

[Hands  over  records,  seal,  books,  papers,  etc.] 

\ 

[The  I.  O.  then  gives  *  *  strokes  of  the  baton  and  the 

Chapter  will  be  seated.] 

I.  O.  The  Recorder  will  advance  and  read  from 
the  records  the  names  of  those  who  have  been  elected 
to  fill  the  offices  of  this  Chapter,  who,  as  their  names 
are  called,  will  advance  to  within  four  paces  of,  and 
facing  the  Seat  of  Wisdom,  the  Worthy  Magistrate 
elect  on  the  right,  and  the  other  officers  will  take 
positions  in  line  according  to  rank. 

[The  Recorder  will  then  advance  and  read  the  names  of  those 
elected  to  the  various  offices,  who  will,  as  their  names  are 

called,  advance  and  form  in  line  as  directed  by  the  Installing 
Officer.] 

[The  Installing  Officer  will  then  say:] 

I.  O.  Do  each  of  you  accept  the  office  to  which  the 


24 


members  of  this  Chapter  have  elected  you  to? 

[Officers  elect  will  responds 

I  do. 

I.  O.  Worthy  Magistrate-elect,  you  will  step  for-  < 
ward  and  place  yourself  in  the  attitude  in  which  you 
were  obligated  as  a  member  of  this  Degree,  and  repeat 
the  following  obligation : 

o  o 

[The  Installing  Officer  will  raise  the  Chapter.] 

OBLIGATION  OF  WORTHY  MAGISTRATE. 

I, - ,  do  solemnly  pledge  my  honor  as  a 

man  and  Knight  of  Labor,  that  I  will  faithfully  per¬ 
form  the  duties  of  my  office  to  the  fullest  extent  of 
my  ability.  I  will  preserve  order  in  this  Chaptei 
and  enforce  a  due  observance  of  the  laws  of  this 
Order  at  all  times.  I  will  endeavor  to  preserve  har¬ 
mony  among  my  associates  in  this  Chapter  and  incul¬ 
cate  the  great  principles  of  Knighthood.  I  will 
sacredly  guard  and  turn  over  to  my  successor,  or  to 
any  other  person  legally  authorized  to  receive  them, 
all  books  and  other  property  of  the  Order  and  of  this 
Chapter  that  may  be  intrusted  to  my  keeping.  And 
all  my  official  acts  will  be  in  harmony  with  the  laws  and 
teachings  of  this  Order,  and  should  this  Chapter 
cease  to  work  during  my  incumbency  of  this  office  I 
will  use  every  effort  to  place  all  property  of  this 
Chapter  in  the  custody  of  the  General  Secretary- 
Treasurer,  To  all  of  which  I  again  pledge  my 
honor. 

I.  O.  My  Brother  you  are  now  about  to  enter  upon 
a  very  important  duty — that  of  presiding  over  the 
deliberations  of  this  Chapter.  Be  faithful  to  your 
obligations,  be  loyal  to  the  Principles  of  Knighthood, 
and  prove  by  the  record  that  you  will  make  that  the 
honor  has  been  worthily  bestowed.  You  will  now  be 
seated  on  my  right. 

J  O 

I.  O.  Worthy  Vice  Magistrate  elect,  you  will  step 
forward  and  place  yourself  in  the  attitude  in  which 
you  were  obligated  as  a  member  of  this  Degree  and 
repeat  the  following  obligation: 


OBLIGATION  OF  VICE  MAGISTRATE. 


I, - ,  do  solemnly  pledge  my  honor  as 

a  man  and  Knight  of  Labor,  that  I  will  faithfully 
perform  the  duties  of  my  office  to  the  fullest  extent  of 
my  ability,  and  in  case  of  my  succession  to  the  Seat  of 
Wisdom  I  Avill  be  bound  by  the  obligation  imposed 
on  the  occupant  of  that  position,  to  the  faithful  per¬ 
formance,  of  all  which  I  again  pledge  my  honor. 

I.  O.  It  will  be  your  duty  to  assist  the  Worthy 
Magistrate  of  this  Chapter,  and  occupy  his  position 
and  perform  the  duties  of  his  office  during  his  ab¬ 
sence.  Be  faithful  to  the  trust  thus  imposed.  You 
will  now  accompany  me  to  your  station. 

I.  O.  Recorder  elect,  you  will  step  forward  and 
place  yourself  in  the  attitude  in  which  you  were 
obligated  as  a  member  of  this  Degree  and  repeat  the 
following  obligation: 

OBLIGATION  OF  RECORDER. 

I, - ,  do  solemnly  pledge  my  honor  as 

a  Knight  of  Labor  that  I  will  faithfully  perform  the 
duties  of  my  office  in  accordance  with  the  laws  and 
regulations  made  for  the  government  of  the  same.  I 
will  keep  a  true  record  of  the  transactions  of  this 
Chapter.  I  will  keep  a  true  and  faithful  account 
between  this  Chapter  and  its  members, and  turn  over 
all  moneys  received  by  me  to  my  successor,  or  to  any 
other  person  legally  authorized  to  receive  it,  except 
such  as  I  have  been  authorized  to  pay  out  by  vote  of 
this  Chapter.  I  will  sacredly  guard  the  records, 
books  and  papers  that  may  come  into  my  possession, 
and  surrender  the  same  to  any  person  legally  author¬ 
ized  to  receive  them,  when  called  upon  to  do  so.  To 
the  faithful  performance  of  all  which  I  again  pledge 
my  honor. 

I.  O.  It  will  be  your  duty  to  keep  accurate  minutes 
of  the  transactions  of  this  Chapter.  To  keep  a  true 
and  faithful  account  between  this  Chapter  and  its 
members  and  pay  no  moneys  except  when  authorized 
to  do  so  by  vote  of  this  Chapter.  To  read  all  com- 


26 


munications  and  preserve  them  for  future  reference. 
Yours  is  an  important  trust.  Let  the  records  prove 
that  it  was  well  founded  in  you.  You  will  now 
accompany  me  to  your  station. 

I.  O.  Investigator  elect,  you  will  step  forward  and 
place  yourself  in  the  attitude  in  which  you  were 
obligated  as  a  member  of  this  Degree  and  repeat  the 
following  obligation. 

OBLIGATION  OF  INVESTIGATOR. 

I, - ,  do  solemnly  pledge  my  honor  as 

a  Knight  of  Labor  that  I  will  faithfully  perform  the 
duties  of  my  office  to  the  fullest  extent  of  my  ability 
so  to  do.  I  will  carefully  examine  all  petitions  and 
petitioners  for  membership  in  this  Chapter  and  will 
at  all  times  prevent  the  admission  of  unworthy  per¬ 
sons  to  a  seat  or  to  membership  herein  if  in  my 
power  so  to  do.  I  will  devote  all  the  attention 
possible  to  the  study  of  economics,  and  plans  how 
best  to  secure  the  fullest  realization  of  the 
hopes  of  the  revered  Founders  of  the  Order,  for 
the  uplifting  of  the  poor  but  honest  toilers,  and  to 
secure  for  them  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  results  of 
their  labor,  and  will  present  such  matters  to  my  asso¬ 
ciates  herein  as  may  tend  to  bring  about  those  much 
needed  conditions. 

I.  O.  Your  obligation  points  out  to  you  the  im¬ 
portant  duties  which  you  will  be  expected  to  fulfill  to 
the  extent  of  your  ability  so  to  do.  If  you  perform 
your  duties  faithfully  and  well  the  results  must  be  far 
reaching  towards  the  ultimate  object  in  view.  Prove 
yourself  worthy  of  the  chief  place  in  this  Council  of 
Philosophers.  You  will  now  accompany  me  to  your 
station. 

I.  O.  Sentinel  and  Guide  elect,  you  will  step  for 
ward  and  place  yourselves  in  the  attitude  in  which 
you  were  obligated  as  members  of  this  Degree,  and 
repeat  the  following  obligation: 


2; 

OBLIGATIONS  OF  SENTINEL  AND  GUIDE. 


I, - ,  do  solemnly  pledge  my  honor  as 

a  Knight  of  Labor  that  I  will  faithfully  perform  the 
duties  of  my  office  as  required  by  the  laws  and 
usages  of  the  Order  promulgated  for  the  government 
of  Chapters  of  this  Degree. 

I.  O. — It  is  the  duty  of  the  Sentinel  to  guard  care¬ 
fully  the  Phylon  of  this  Chapter  so  as  to  prevent  the 
admission  of  any  person  not  entitled.  Be  vigilant  at 
all  times  in  the  performance  of  your  duty. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  Guide  to  assist  at  the  initia¬ 
tion  of  persons  properly  qualified,  and  duly  elected 
to  membership  in  this  Chapter  and  perform  such 
other  duties  as  the  Worthy  Magistrate,  or  this  Chapter 
may  direct. 

You  will  now  accompany  me  to  your  stations. 

[The  Installing  Officer  will  then  address  the  Worthy  Magistrate  as 
follows: 

I.  O.  Worthy  Magistrate  I  am  now  about  to  pre¬ 
sent  to  you  the  warrant  under  which  this  Chapter  is 
held,  and  the  rituals  and  secret  work  belonging  to  this 
Degree.  You  must  never  allow  any  person  not  a 
member  of  this  Degree  and  in  good  standing  to  read 
them.  You  must  never  lend  them  to  be  taken  from 
your  presence,  except  in  case  of  your  inability  to  be 
present  at  the  meeting  of  your  Chapter,  and  in  that 
case  only  to  the  Vice  Magistrate.  You  must  never 
make  a  copy  of  them  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  or 
suffer  it  to  be  done  by  others. 

Do  you  agree  to  the  instructions  thus  imposed? 

W.  M.  I  do  unreservedly. 

An  affirmative  answer  is  necessary  or  the  warrant,  rituals,  etc.,  can¬ 
not  be  delivered. 

|  The  Installing  Officer  then  hands  over  warrant,  etc.l 


28 


I.  O.  Recorder,  I  now  present  to  you  the  seal^ 
records,  and  other  books  and  papers  belonging  to  your 
office.  Guard  them  in  accordance  with  the  provis¬ 
ions  of  your  obligation. 

I.  O.  Worthy  Magistrate,  I  now  commend  to  your 
keeping  this  emblem  of  your  authority  and  control 
over  this  Chapter.  Never  allow  it  to  become  an  in¬ 
strument  of  oppression.  Remember  that  it  is  the 
symbol  of  brotherhood  while  an  emblem  of  authority. 

[Hands  over  baton.] 

PROCLAMATION. 

I.  O.  And  now  by  the  authority  in  me  vested,  I 

declare  the  officers  of  this  Chapter  No. - ,  legally 

installed  for  the  term  ending . 

and  entitled  to  work  under  the  warrant  just  commit 
ted  to  the  care  of  the  Worthy ‘Magistrate. 

[The  W.  M.  will  then  give  *  *  of  the  baton  and  the 

Chapter  will  be  seated. 

The  Installing  Officer  may  then  address  the  Chapter  on  the 
needs  of  the  hour  if  time  will  permit.] 

[The  officers  will  be  all  elected  by  majority  vote  at  the  last 
meeting  of  the  year,  and  installed  the  first  meeting  of  the  new 
year.  Old  officers  hold  over  until  their  successors  are  installed. 
The  Installing  Officer  will  have  a  special  warrant  issued  and 
signed  by  the  G.  M.  W.] 

ABBREVIATIONS. 

G.— Guide. 

I .  —I  n  vestigator. 

I,  O.— Installing  Officer. 

R  —  Recorder. 

S.— Sentinel. 

V.  M.— Vice  Magistrate. 

W.  M.— Worthy  Magistrate. 


Qualifications  for  Membership 

IN  THE 


DEGREE 

OF  THE  * 

Philosopher’s  Stone. 


Adopted  By  the  General  Assembly  at  Louisville,  Ky,, 
November  9th  to  17th,  1897. 


The  Philosopher’s  Stone  is  a  Degree  of  honor  and 
merit,  and  only  those  members  of  the  Order  of  the 
Knights  of  Labor,  who  have  done  specially  valuable  ser¬ 
vices  for  the  Order  are  eligible  to  membership.  The 
faithful  performance  of  any  of  the  following  services  shall 
render  a  member  eligible  to  be  initiated  into  the  Philoso¬ 
pher  Stone  Degree: 

1.  Any  member  bringing  into  the  Order  not  less  than 
ten  new  members  within  one  year.  All  candidates  must 
be  able  to  repeat  the  officers’  charges  and  instruction  in 
signs  and  secret  work  of  a  Local  Assembly,  and  for  two 
years  at  least  next  preceding  his  application  must  have 
been  a  member  of  the  Order.  The  Local  lor  which  the 
new  members  have  been  brought  shall  pay  the  price  of 
the  Jewel  of  the  Degree  for  the  new  member. 

2.  Any  member  who  shall  have  organized  two  or  more 
Local  Assemblies  within  one  year,  paying  full  charter 
fee.  The  Jewel  to  be  furnished  by  the  General  Assembly. 

3.  Any  member  who  has  not  missed  attendance  at  a 
meeting  of  his  Local  Assembly  for  one  year,  nor  allowed 
himself  to  fall  in  arrears  in  his  dues  or  assessments,  and 
who  pays  the  price  of  the  Jewel;  is  able  to  instruct  in  ihe 


3<=> 

secret  work  of  a  Local  Assembly,  and  has  been  faithful 
in  the  performance  of  his  duties  as  an  officer  or  member 
of  liis  Local. 

4.  Any  member  who  sends  in  fifteen  new  yearly  cash 
subscribers  to  the  Journal  of  the  Knights  of  Labor  in  one 
year;  Jewel  to  be  furnished  by  the  General  Assembly. 

5.  Any  member  who  has  performed  some  special  and 
distinguished  service  for  the  Order  that  in  the  judgment 
of  the  General  Executive  Board  entitles  him  to  receive 
the  Degree. 

6.  In  the  above  rules  the  expression  “within  one  year” 
covers  the  year  from  any  one  regular  session  of  the  Gen¬ 
eral  Assembly  until  the  next  regular  session.  All  the 
above  described  eligible  candidates  for  admission  to  the 
Philosophers  Stone  Degree  must  furnish  a  certificate 
signed  and  sealed  by  the  Master  Workman  and  Record¬ 
ing  Secretary  of  their  Local  and  District  Assembly  that 
they  have  complied  with  one  of  the  above  rules  and  all 
other  laws  of  the  Order,  and  are  at  the  time  members  of 
the  Order  in  good  standing. 


x 


Government  of  Chapters  and  Members  of  the 
Degree  of  the  Philosopher’s  Stone. 


NOVEMBER  9th  to  17th,  1897. 


Adopted  By  the  General  Assembly  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
November  9th  to  17th,  1897- 

Section  1.  A  Local  Chapter  of  the  Philosopher’s  Stone 
Degree  may  be  formed  upon  the  application  of  four 
members  in  such  locality  as  specified  in  their  application, 
upon  such  application,  being  made  by  said  four  or  more 
members  of  this  degree,  a  charter  shall  be  issued. 

Section  2.  All  charters  for  chapters  of  the  Philosopher’s 
Stone  Degree  shall  be  signed  and  issued  by  the  General 
Master  Workman  and  General  Secretary-Treasurer  under 
the  authority  of  the  General  Executive  Board ,  for  which 
a  fee  of  $5  shall  be  charged. 

Section  3.  The  charter  supplies  shall  consist  of  charter, 
seal  and  ritual,  together  with  such  other  supplies  as  the 
General  Executive  Board  may  approve  of. 

Section  4.  This  degree  shall  be  conferred  upon  those 
members  earning  the  same  in  such  manner,  at  such  time, 
and  by  such  person,  as  the  General  Master  Workman 
may  designate. 

Section  5.  Chapters  of  this  degree  may  charge  such 
dues  and  initiation  fee  as  the  chapter  in  their  judgment 
may  decide  not  to  exceed  $5  per  annum  for  each  member. 

Section  6.  The  General  Master  Workman  shall  make  a 
pass-word  for  this  degree,  which  shall  be  conferred  upon 
the  member  at  his  initiation,  by  the  member  authorized 
by  the  General  Master  Workman  to  confer  the  degree. 

Section  7.  Satisfactory  proof  of  membership  in  this 
degree  shall  entitle  any  member  to  take  up  membership 
in  any  chapter  of  this  degree  by  subscribing  to  the  rules 
and  regulations  of  such  chapter,  provided  that  no  mem¬ 
ber  will  be  permitted  to  hold  membership  in  more  than 
one  chapter  at  the  same  time. 

Section  8.  Reports  shall  be  made  annually  to  the  Gen¬ 
eral  Assembly  by  each  chapter  of  this  degree,  showing 
the  names  of  members  added  during  the  year,  also  the 
work  done  for  the  Order  by  members  of  this  degree. 

Section  9.  Any  member  covered  with  the  Philosopher’s 


Stone  Degree,  who  gliall  be  suspended  by  his  Local  c 
District  Assembly,  or  otherwise  separated  from  the  Orde1 
shall  lose  his  membership  in  any  chapter  to  which  i 
may  be  attached. 

Section  10.  Any  member  of  the  Philosopher’s  Stor 
Degree  convicted  by  the  General  Executive  Board  ci 
conduct  unbecoming  a  true  Knight  of  Labor,  shall  b 
certified  to  the  chapter  to  which  he  belongs,  with  a  cop; 
of  the  charges  for  such  penalty  and  punishment  as  the; 
may,  by  majority  vote,  decide. 

Section  11.  Complaint  against  members  of  the  Philos! 
plier’s  Stone  Degree  must  be  made  in  writing  and  signe; 
by  at  least  two  members  of  the  degree  in  good . standing 
to  the  General  Executive  Board.  A  copy  of  which,  witlj 
out  names  attached,  shall  be  furnished  to  the  membd 
complained  of  by  the  General  Executive  Board  at  leasj 
ten  days  before  the  complaint  is  to  be  heard,  and  a  wrij 
ten  defense  will  be  considered. 

Section  12.  Members  of  the  Philosopher’s  Stone  Degrd 
not  connected  with  any  chapter,  and  against  whom  con 
plamt  is  made,  and  conviction  secured  before  the  Genera 
Executive  Board,  shall  be  certified  for  punishment  to  tl 
chapter  nearest  the  locality  in  which  the  member  reside 

Section  13.  The  names  and  addresses  of  every  membd 
of  the  Philosopher’s  Stone  Degree  convicted  by  the  GeJ 
eral  Executive  Board  shall  be  sent  to  every  chapter  < 
this  Degree,  a  list  which  must  be  kept  in  every  chapter.  I 

Section  14.  A  member  of  the  Philosopher’s  Storj 
Degree  convicted  by  the  General  Executive  Board,  arj 
certified  to  the  chapter  of  this  Degree  shall  be  debarnj 
from  entering  any  of  their  meetings. 

Section  15.  Reinstatement  into  the  Philosopher’s  Stoa 
Degree  shall  not  be  considered  until  the  chapter  imposirl 
the  penalty  have  been  notified,  and  an  opportunity  givtj 
them  to  be  heard. 

Section  16.  All  members  of  the  General  Assembj 
shall,  by  virtue  of  their  membership  in  the  Geneil 
Assembly,  upon  payment  of  the  required  sum,  be  cloth! 
with  the  Philosopher’s  Stone  Degree. 

Section  17.  Chapters  of  this  Degree  shall  have  ta 
right  to  make  such  laws  as  they  may  see  fit,  not  conflij 
ing  with  the  foregoing  lawrs. 


